Category Archives: Nutrition

Obesity has long been associated with many health conditions including heart disease and diabetes. However, new evidence suggests a correlation with mental health as well.

A study that began in France in the early 1990’s surveyed 6,401 adults between the ages of 31 and 63. Participants provided their body mass indices as well as their quantifiable risk for such health conditions as blood pressure, high blood sugar, high fat content and high cholesterol. Fifty-three percent of the subjects were considered to be “normal” according to the BMI scale, while thirty-eight percent were considered “overweight” and an additional nine percent “obese.” Thirty-one percent of the entire group had two or more of the above-mentioned health conditions. For the next fifteen years, the research group subjected participants to three total rounds of cognitive testing to assess overall brain performance.

The recently tabulated results showed that cognitive decline progressed most quickly in subjects who were both obese and displayed one of the aforementioned metabolic abnormalities. However, the few participants who were obese, but lacked any of the conditions showed no greater risk of mental decline.

These results suggest that the risk factors normally associated with obesity, such as those tested in this study, may be an early indicator of future mental impairment. The relationship between obesity and yet another serious health complication demonstrates the consequences of being overweight.

Someone you know could be experiencing a mental illness or crisis. Mental Health First Aid teaches a 5-step action plan to offer initial help to people with the signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in a crisis, and connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social or self-help care. Anyone can take the 8-hour Mental Health First Aid course — first responders, students, teachers, leaders of faith communities, human resources professionals, and caring citizens. Sometimes, the best first aid is you.Take the course, save a life, strengthen your community. Attendees must attend this two-day course to be eligible for the certification.

Despite your loved one’s physical limitations, there are safe and effective exercises he or she can enjoy. With help from dedicated Dallas live-in caregivers, seniors of varying abilities can have fun and get into shape during the spring and summer months doing the following pool exercises.

Standing Push Ups

To do a standing push-up in the water, seniors should stand in the pool with their hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart on one edge of the pool. Then they need to bend their arms and pull themselves towards the wall and push back. Seniors should keep repeating this exercise until their arms start to feel slightly tired. Water push-ups are an effective way for seniors to build arm and shoulder strength without putting excess pressure on their joints.

Leg Swings

For this exercise, seniors need to stand by the side of the pool in water that’s deep enough to reach up to their lower back. Then grab the edge of the swimming pool and swing their outside leg forward as far as possible, making sure their leg is kept straight. They then need to hold that position for five seconds and swing their leg behind them and hold it in place for another five seconds. Legs swings will help make the muscles in their upper legs stronger.

Water Jogging

Seniors can also simply jog through the water from one end of the pool to another. If seniors have physical limitations that make jogging in the water difficult, they can either march in place or walk at their own pace through the length of the pool. All variations of this exercise will get the blood flowing throughout the body while getting the heart rate up.

Leg Lifts

For this pool exercise, seniors should stand in a swimming pool and lift one of their legs out to the side and back down again. Seniors can repeat this exercise until their leg feels tired, then repeat with their other leg. Leg lifts will make their legs stronger while also strengthening their core and improving their balance. This is particularly useful for those who receive Alzheimer’s care in Dallas as cognitive disorders often disrupt balance and coordination.

Even if you aren’t always available to assist your loved one with these exercises, there are plenty of Dallas at-home care agencies that can help. Home Care Assistance is a leading provider of live-in and hourly home care that enables seniors to age in place while acquiring the tools they need to enjoy longevity and wellbeing. Highly trained caregivers are available 24/7 to help your loved one prepare nutritious meals, exercise regularly, and effectively heal from illness and injury. Call (214) 216-6811 today to speak to a knowledgeable Care Manager who will answer your questions, explain our services, and schedule a free consultation.